Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera (Order); Cimicidae (Family)

Size: 4-5 mm (adults), about the size of an apple seed

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Dwellings where humans or other warm-blooded animals sleep, hiding in cracks and crevices (beds, mattresses, bed frames, furniture, walls, floorboards).

Diet & Feeding

Exclusively blood of warm-blooded animals, especially humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, typically feeding at night while hosts are asleep. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They tend to live in groups.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Bites can be itchy, leading to skin irritation and secondary infections from scratching. Can cause psychological distress (anxiety, insomnia). Not known to transmit diseases. No known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.

Identified on: 10/7/2025